"Our move intends to study how people of a particular culture and region make use of indigenous plants for medicines, food etc. As tribals have traditional knowledge of economically important plants of their respective surroundings, they can help our scientists in exploring and documenting therapeutic plants,” said Dr Tariq Husain, a scientist in the taxonomy and biodiversity division of the institute.

Initially, the NBRI has chosen to work with the tribals in the three states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. Later they will extend the programme to other states.

As per the plan outlined by the NBRI scientists, they would first assess and monitor the plant diversity that will be followed by the preparation of a comprehensive database and information system on plant diversity and its geographical distribution.

The NBRI has already undertaken an intensive botanical exploration in Uttarankhand's Tons Valley-- one of the floristically rich Himalayan valleys-- that is also the homeland of some primitive tribals like the Jaunsaris, who are considered to have a good knowledge about the value of the plants.

"Although on a small scale, we have already started to explore the valley which has not received the worthwhile attention of botanists. There are several such sites of economically viable plants that remain unexplored or under-explored," said NBRI scientists.